Crate



Feb. 20, 1923.

- W. J. MORRIS.

CRATE.

mm APR.29. 1922.

crate.

Patented Feb. 20, 1923.

WILLIAMJ. MORRIS, 0F MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

CRATE.

. Application filed April 29, 1922. Serial No. 557,317. I a

T 0 all whom it may concern."

Be it known that VVILLIAM J. Monms, a. citizen of the United States,residing at Memphis, in the county ofShelby' and State of Tennessee, hasinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Crates, of whichthei'ollowing is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanyingdrawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in crates and hasrelation more par- F ticularly to a device of this general characterespecially designed andadaptedfor" use in the packing of axe handles orkindred articles and it is an objectof the invention to provide anovel'and improved device of this general character whereby a plurality,of handles are efiectively maintainedin a compact. form and in a mannerwhereby the same may be readily transported or stored.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved-device of this general character providedwith acompartment orhousing adapted to contain a supply of wedges or the like for use inconnection with the handles contained Within the The invention consistsin the details of construction and the combination and arrangement ofthe several parts of my improved signal whereby certain importantadvantages are attained "and the device rendered simpler, less expensiveand otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as willhereinafter be more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to described the same with reference to the the adjacent ends ofthe side member 1.

Bridging the space between the side members l and secured to the endportions of said side members immediately adjacent the I head 2 are thecross'members or cleats 3, the outer longitudinal edges of saidcleatsBbeing substantially flush with the adjacent end, edges. ofthemembers 1 and the outer-face of the head 2.

The applied members cleatsj'3 in 'conjunction with theadjacent' endportions-oi I the side members 1 and the head -2 provide a pocket orchamber A in which end po v tions of the axe handlesor the like arc re=ceived. The opposite end portions of the handles 'or the like-arereceived within a chamberB arranged inwardly of the-head 4:. j The headtbridges the space betweenthe members l andispositioned at apredetermineddistance inwardlyrof the ends of the 1 side members 1 remote fromthe head 2.;

Secured to said end portions lot the side menrnbers '1 are therelatively broad members or cleats 5, the outer longitudinal edges ofwhich being substantially flush withthead- .jacent ends-of the sidemembersil. The

inner longitudinal edgesv of the membersaor vided. j 4 Q The members orcleats 5 and the adjacent end portions. of the side members 1 out-Wardly ofthe head 4 provide a compart mber B is pro ment C adapted to,contain wedges or the like intended for use in connection withthehandles contained within the crate. The outer face'of the compartment Cis adapted to be closed by the head 6, which, when in I closed position.fits snugly Within the outer portion of the. compartment C. Each end ofthe head 6 is hingedly or pivotally connected as at 7 adjacent alongitudinalman ginal portion of said head 6 with a side 1 member 1 ofthe crate-ivhereby the head 6 may be readily swung into either open or jclosed position as desired a WVhen the head 6 is in closed position thesame is locked against swinging movement by a brad or nail 8 disposedthrough the adjacent end portion of each side member 1 and penetratingan end of the head 6' and preferably'at a point adjacentthefree-longitudinal edge of said head 6. In order that the head 6 may bereadily and conveniently swung into open position I provide the cen-"tral part of the free longitudinal marginal.

portion of the head 6 with a recess or notch 9 through which the'digitof a hand may be readily inserted. I I

.8 cleats .5 are positioned inwardly ofthe head 4 whereby the desiredcha For the purpose of shipment or storing, after the axe handles or thelike have been properly contained within the crate the wedges or thelike-are placed within the compartment C and the closure member lockedin closed position.

with the required number of wedges for use in conjunction therewith.

It will also be understood that when applying the axe handles or thelike within the casing C, one of the side members or cleats 3 or 5 isremoved and applied after the axe handles or the like have been properlypositioned within the crate.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a crateconstructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adaptedfor use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may beassembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that invention issusceptible of some change and modification without departing from theprinciples and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to beunderstood as limitingmyself to the precise arrangement and formation ofthe several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practiceexcept as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A shipping crate of the class described comprising side members, endmembers con necting the side members, one of said end members beingpositioned inwardly or" the adjacent end of the side member, cleats con-By this means a shipment of axe handles may be accompaniednectingopposite sides of the side members and extending inwardly of the endmembers, the cleats adjacent the first named end member extendingoutwardly thereof to provide a compartment, and a closure member forsaid compartment.

2. A shipping crate of the class described comprising side members, endmembers connecting the side members, one of said end members beingpositioned inwardly of the adjacent end of the side member, cleatsconnecting opposite sides of the side members and extending inwardly ofthe end members, the cleats adjacent the first named end memherextending outwardly thereof to provide" a compartment, a closure memberfor said compartment, and means for pivotally connecting' said closuremember with theside members.

S. A shipping crate of the class described comprising side members, endmembers connecting the side members one or" said end members beingpositioned inwardly of the adjacent end of the side member, cleatsconnecting opposite sides of the side members and Xtending inwardly ofthe end members, the cleats adjacent the first named end memberextending; outwardly thereof to provide a compartment a closure memberfor said compartment, means for pivotally connecting said closure memberwith the side members, marginal portion of the closuremember beingprovided with a recess.

In testimony whereof l hereunto atlix my signature.

wrLLrAi/r J. Monnis.

